Tag Archive for: #kva

TownTalk: Introducing Matthew McLaughlin, Kerr-Vance Academy

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Matthew McLaughlin said he didn’t set out to be a school administrator – he really wanted to be a middle school band teacher.

And McLaughlin was quite happy doing just that for many years.

Now, after close to two decades in the field of private education, he finds himself not in front of a bunch of tweens and teens learning music, but as the Head of School at Kerr-Vance Academy.

“School leadership and administration wasn’t on my radar,” McLaughlin said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. But as he took on various leadership roles, he was led to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a graduate degree that is specifically designed for private school leaders.

Since private schools are funded differently and governed differently than public schools, McLaughlin said private school leadership inherently involves aspects of business that public school leaders may not have to contend with.

He described his studies at Notre Dame as training that marries education and business, which he said is critical for private school leaders.

“We have to have some different conversations,” McLaughlin said. “The facilities are our facilities,” and they have to have some “pretty tight operational procedures” in place to make sure those facilities are maintained properly.

And although McLaughlin has only been on the job a month or so, he’s already witnessed one capital improvement project at his new workplace.

The school is finishing up work on a major renovation project at the Crawford Gymtorium, a multipurpose facility on the KVA campus that has been used over the years for everything from basketball games to graduation exercises.

They’ll have a ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. to unveil the new gym floor, which McLaughlin said looks amazing.

A crew gutted the floor down to the concrete pad and built it back, he said, noting that it’s rated to last for 100 years.

Elected officials, alumni and others from the community are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting, which will take place during the KVA Fall Classic, which will bring several area schools together for two days of volleyball and soccer matches.

McLaughlin said he sees value in having a school like KVA in a community like Henderson, and you’ll never hear him say negative things about charter schools or traditional public schools. There’s room for all.

“I’ve made a career out of private schools,” he said. “There are some things that we do really, really well that can’t be recreated in the public schools…(but) they can do things that we’ll never be able to do.”

One of KVA’s advantages, he said, is the way it intentionally creates a feeling of community among its students and their families. There’s a day care on campus, so a child spend his or her entire school career at one school. That’s a long time to build community, McLaughlin said.

That dovetails perfectly with what McLaughlin said he has worked throughout his career for – watching and overseeing “the development of the whole person – it’s not just about reading and math. I love being a part of that and being a part of their story.”

Want to learn more? Visit https://www.kerrvance.com/.

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George Hoyle, Sr. Retires as KVA Volleyball Coach

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For George Hoyle, Sr., the head volleyball coach at Kerr-Vance Academy for the last four years, his love of volleyball started with his daughter and club volleyball teams and came full circle with his son, KVA Athletic Director George Hoyle, Jr., as the varsity volleyball program earned back-to-back NCISAA state championships over the last two seasons.

With only seven losses in four years, a 106-7 record, Hoyle said, “It absolutely started with the players and the devotion they put in.  Great players make a great coach.  We were in the gym three days a week working, but it’s got to be fun.  It has to be fun or you’re not going to win.  And we made it fun.”

Hoyle said, “It’s been a wonderful six years I’ve been there (as assistant and head coach).  I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Check out the audio of our full interview here.

And now new coaches have been named, according the the Kerr-Vance Facebook page.  The social media account for The Spartans says, “We are thrilled to announce the hiring of our new Varsity and JV Women’s Volleyball Coaches – Casey Ellington and Debra Medlin.

“Head Coach – Casey Ellington a native of Granville County played volleyball at William Peace University and has recently coached at the club level locally.

“Assistant Coach – Debra Medlin previously served as the Head Coach at C.E. Jordan High School from 1989 through 2000. She also recently served as a coach at Person County High School and Middle School.”

Hoyle felt like it was the right time to retire.  He said, “We have a lot of the pieces to the puzzle for a new coach to come in…and they’re not going to skip a beat.  They are going to have a good team.”

As to working alongside his son, George Hoyle, Sr. said, “It’s a lot of fun working with him.  Made a lot of memories there.  That just doesn’t happen to a lot of people.  All those were great.  It was a lot of fun working with him.  It was really special.”

In continuing to speak of George Hoyle, Jr., the elder Hoyle said, “He does a great job, and I’m very proud of everything he’s accomplished.  Going to miss that part of sure.”

Hoyle said success starts in the off season.  “It starts in the off season.  Everything starts in the off season.  You’ve got to put in the preparation in the summer and winter months to be successful when the season comes around, and that’s what the girls have done at Kerr-Vance.”

For sure, love comes into it as well.   “I love coaching and love youth sports more than anything.  I absolutely love high school and college.  I love to watch and be around it.  I have been coaching youth sports since 2003.  That’s a long time,” Hoyle said.

In one sport or another, Hoyle has been a coach, mentor and grounds keeper year round for decades.

Hoyle started to coach as an assistant under William Hoyle, who is distant kin, and George said, “William was great.  I love him to death, and of those championships, it all started with him being there.  And I appreciate everything he taught me about the game, and I started to love it at that point.”

For Hoyle and his family, they achieve by the most honest means.  Hard work, dedication, gentleness, grace, intelligence.  Congratulations to Kerr-Vance Volleyball and retired head coach George Hoyle, Sr.

Open House at Kerr-Vance Academy April 22 and April 26

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— submitted by Anne Marie White

Kerr-Vance Academy will host two Open Houses in the upcoming days. The first will be Sunday, April 22nd from 2 – 4 p.m., and the second will be Thursday, April 26th from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Both events are floating tours of the full-service, on-campus facilities, and enrollment information will be available.

KVA State Playoffs Tues, Feb 13, 2018

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KVA State Playoffs Tues, Feb 13, 2018

Kerr Vance Academy will host Wayne Christian Academy in the first round of the NCISAA State Basketball tournament.  The varsity girls and varsity boys teams will both play Tuesday, February 13 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The ladies team will play at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s team will play at 7 p.m.

WIZS is scheduled to broadcast beginning at 7 p.m. on 1450 AM and online at wizs.com for the varsity boys team, including a full update on the girls game.

Admission is $7 for adults and students including KVA students are admitted for $5.  Children under eight years old are free.

Headmaster Frank Wiggins has asked WIZS News to invite everyone from the community to come out and support KVA.

H/V Chamber Welcomes New Teacher Bag Donations

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New Teacher Bag Donations

We need your help to welcome our new teachers to Vance County!
Snacks, gum, candy, water bottles, notepads, pens, pencils, coupons etc. are just a few of the things we need to pack in the bags. Make sure your business name and contact information is on the items you donate. This is a great way to advertise your business to a new group coming into the Vance County area.

We will be packing 150 bags and these will be distributed to new teachers at all Vance County Public schools, Kerr-Vance Academy, Henderson Collegiate, Vance Charter, and Crossroads Christian.

If you would like to make a donation, please contact Melanie Mann at 252-438 8414 or info@hendersonvance.org.

Deadline for donations is this Friday, August 25th.

Kerr-Vance Academy Honors State Champs

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On May 25, Kerr Vance Academy held a banquet to honor the 2017 NCISAA state champion baseball and soccer teams.  After dinner, both teams were recognized and coaches presented individual awards.

 

Varsity Women’s Soccer Awards

Emma Pelfrey – Outstanding Senior

Ashley Dickerson – MVP

Caroline Hoyle – MVP

Emma Hogge – MVP

Riley Short – Coach’s Award

Lorena Negron – Coach’s Award

Bonnie Evans – Outstanding Defensive Player Award

Meagan O’Leary – Coca Cola Academic Award

Nicole Dunkley – CIC Conference Player of the Year

Raz Tegean –  CIC Conference Coach of the Year

CIC All Conference Team Selection: Nicole Dunkley, Riley Short, Caroline Hoyle, Bonnie Evans

CIC All Conference Honorable Mention: Emma Pelfrey

All State Selection: Nicole Dunkley, Riley Short

Varsity Men’s Baseball Awards

Banks Conde – Outstanding Senior Award

Jabe Montgomery – MVP

Wil Short – Golden Glove Award

Cam Murphy – Golden Glove Award

Colby Wilkerson – Silver Slugger Award

All-State Baseball – Jabe Montgomery, Colby Wilkerson

CIC All-Conference – Jabe Montgomery, Colby Wilkerson, Cam Murphy, Wil Short

Honorable Mention CIC All-Conference  – RJ Johnson

JV Baseball Awards

RJ Johnson – Silver Slugger Award

Tom Echols – Most Valuable Utility Player Award

Cole Merritt – Most Improved Award

Wyatt Humphries – Most Improved Award

Chance Murphy – Golden Glove Award

Kerr-Vance Academy Announces VSWCD Poster Winners

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The VSWCD poster winners from Kerr-Vance Academy are Kaitlyn Painter, Landon Cottrell, and Trent Edwards.

Red Cross and Kerr-Vance Academy Team up for Blood Drive

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RALEIGH, N.C.(Feb. 15, 2017) – During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood.

Since 1943, every U.S. president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world. Red Cross Month is a celebration of supporters, who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities and bring hope to people facing emergencies.

Blood donor Timothy Sheely knows the need firsthand. His wife required 12 units of blood during emergency surgery following the birth of their son. “If it had not been for blood donors, she might not have survived,” he said. “Thanks to generous blood donors, I still have a wife and my kids still have their mom. I can’t possibly thank those people in person, but I can give a little piece of me back with each donation for the greater good.”

The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed to help those rely on blood products.

Make an appointment to become a hero to patients in need by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Henderson

3/8/2017: 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Kerr Vance Academy, 700 Vance Academy Road

How to help

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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KVA Lower School Students participate in Pen-Pal Project

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Marcia Harntess’ elementary school art students at Kerr-Vance Academy recently participated in a Pen-Pal Project with students from Trujillo, Spain.  The project was organized while Mrs. Hartness’s family was in Trujillo for the wedding of her son, Sean, who is a graduate of KVA and the University of Charleston.  Sean’s bride, also an elementary teacher, arranged for students in her former school to correspond with their counterparts here at KVA.

The first shipment of handmade Christmas cards arrived last week and included picture postcards of Trujillo with handwritten messages from students.  KVA students enjoyed receiving the handwritten correspondence that they could keep for years and show off to their family and friends.

 

Kerr Vance Academy Holds Annual Grandparent’s Day Program

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On Tuesday, November 22, Kerr Vance Academy held its annual Grandparent’s Day Program.  The event began with a prelude – students playing selected songs on piano, followed by the KVA Junior Band performing “The Nutcracker”.

The program also included student speakers, a special video celebrating grandparents, and songs by students in the Lower School.

The KVA Show Choir concluded with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

The program was organized and directed by music teacher, Ms. Valerie Montjoy.